SEMH Teaching Assistant - 1:1

Cover People; Salford; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday pay 12.07%

Statutory holiday pay

Job summary

Cover People are seeking a dedicated 1:1 Teaching Assistant to support a primary pupil with SEMH needs in a Salford school. You will help the pupil regulate emotions, engage with learning, and build positive relationships within the school environment.

This long-term role requires patience, resilience and experience in managing challenging behaviour, with a daily rate of £95–£120 and a commitment to safeguarding and welfare policies.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children with SEMH or complex behaviour.
• Ability to manage challenging situations calmly and consistently.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Build a trusting relationship with the pupil.
• Use positive behaviour strategies and de-escalation techniques.
• Help the pupil recognise emotions and develop coping strategies.
• Encourage engagement with lessons and classroom routines.
• Maintain boundaries and respond calmly to challenging behaviour.
• Adapt tasks to pupil needs and abilities.
• Contribute to targets and EHCP outcomes where applicable.
• Collaborate with class teacher, SENCO and wider school team to review progress.

Skills

SEMH experience

Behaviour management

Patience

Strong communication

Job description

SEMH Teaching Assistant – 1:1

Location: Salford

Start Date: October Half Term

Role: Long-term

Pay: £95 - £120 per day

Cover People are seeking a dedicated 1:1 Teaching Assistant to work with a primary-aged pupil with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs at a primary school in Salford.

This role would suit someone who is patient, resilient and experienced in managing challenging behaviour. You will play a key role in helping the pupil regulate their emotions, engage with learning and develop positive relationships within the school environment.

About the School

The school is committed to creating an inclusive environment where children feel safe, valued and encouraged to achieve their potential. Staff take a collaborative approach to learning and wellbeing, recognising individual needs and working to remove barriers to pupils' progress.

The Role

You will work closely with the pupil throughout the school day, helping them navigate classroom routines and participate more confidently in school life.

• Building a consistent, trusting relationship with the pupil.
• Using positive behaviour strategies and de-escalation techniques to manage difficult situations.
• Helping the pupil recognise emotions, develop coping strategies and improve self-regulation.
• Encouraging engagement with lessons, classroom routines and peer interactions.
• Maintaining clear boundaries and responding calmly to challenging behaviour.
• Adapting tasks and approaches to suit the pupil's needs and learning abilities.
• Contributing to individual targets and EHCP outcomes, where applicable.
• Working with the class teacher, SENCO and wider school team to review progress and agree effective approaches.

About You

• Experience working with children with SEMH needs or complex behaviour.
• Confidence managing challenging situations while remaining calm and consistent.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• The ability to balance empathy with clear boundaries.
• Resilience, patience and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• A genuine commitment to helping children develop confidence and access learning.
• Experience in a mainstream primary school, PRU, alternative provision or specialist setting would be particularly beneficial.

All pay rates include 12.07% statutory holiday pay where applicable.

Cover People are acting as an employment business on behalf of these schools. Successful applicants will be subject to safeguarding and vetting procedures in line with statutory guidance, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

Cover People is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment